Despite Zielinski having two penalties saved, Politano, Raspadori, and Ndombele gave Napoli a significant win away to 10-man Rangers, moving them 3 points ahead in this group.
Due to police being overburdened with the funeral preparations for Queen Elizabeth II, this game was delayed by 24 hours. A victory here would put Napoli 3 points clear at the top of the group after Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Ajax last night.
Simeone took over in place of Raspadori because Osimhen, Lozano, and Demme were hurt for Napoli. With Lawrence, Davies, Souttar, Helander, Roofe, and Hagi all injured, Rangers were missing Jon McLaughlin and had to bring back 40-year-old Allan McGregor as their backup goalie.
Both teams made an aggressive start, with Zielinski smashing a shot against the crossbar and Morelos’ header skimming the bar.
While Simeone’s finish after a deft Zielinski through ball required McGregor to sprint off his line and use his knee, Meret flew to block a long-range Scott Arfield rocket out of the top corner.
Morelos put Meret to the test once more, Kvaratskhelia’s curler skimmed the far post, and Arfield mishandled a great opportunity. At the near post, Kvaratskhelia poked the ball into McGregor’s hands, while Connor Goldson’s looping header and a Matteo Politano half-volley both went wide.
On the stroke of 55, Simeone was brought down in the penalty area by James Sands, who was also given a second caution in quick succession. McGregor, 40, parried Zielinski’s penalty attempt, and Politano converted the rebound, but VAR revealed multiple players had encroached on the area, necessitating a retake. Once more, Zielinski made a move, and McGregor again made the save.
At Ibrox, Napoli pushed forward against 10 men and was penalized again when Kvaratskhelia’s shot was deflected by a raised Barisic arm. Politano chose to take this time and drilled the ball low, just under McGregor’s glove.
Zielinski’s attempt from the edge of the box was well saved by McGregor once more, but Raspadori, who had just come off the bench, sealed the victory by completing a deft pass and go with Mathias Olivera and beating McGregor at the near post.
With a brilliant no-look pass from Zambo Anguissa, Tanguy Ndombele added a third goal in stoppage time.
After a VAR on-field review, the referee had to retract his decision to award Rangers with a penalty because Amir Rrahmani was clearly hit in the stomach and not the hand.
Rangers held their own for the first hour of this game, but Napoli cruised to a three-goal victory in Glasgow. Despite saving two penalties, McGregor was unable to stop Politano from scoring on his third attempt after Sands was sent off for receiving two yellow cards. Late in the game, Raspadori and Ndombele enhanced the victory.
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